This book looks at the anatomy of a big band radio station with the broadcasters and the songwriters. Chapters cover the early dance bands of Paul Whiteman, Leo Reisman, Fred Waring, Casa Loma, Coon-Sanders Nighthawks, Fletcher Henderson, Vincent Lopez, Wayne King and covers vignettes about the ballrooms and pavillions where the bands performed the music of America's Golden Age. Max Wirz of Swiss radio recalls the big bands of Europe, from Syd Lawrence and Ted Heath, right up to today's exciting Thilo Wolf and Andy Prior. A special section covers vocalists Beryl Davis and Carmel Quin, the Wizard of the guitar Les Paul, and magical radio journalist Sally Bennett. The book concludes with Honourable Mentions of bands and vocalists you may or may not know. Richard Grudens again provides a special insight into the lives of the performers who lived within the Jukebox of our lives in this book with over 60 exceptional photos provided by most of the books subjects themselves.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Grudens provides an insight into the lives of performers who lived within the Jukebox of our musical lives. -- Hotstuff-Dancing USA Magazine
Is a book filled with illuminating glimpses of great musical performers told mostly in their own words. -- Sheet Music Magazine-New ork
This welcome book has all the ingredients that make a treat of a read for Big Band fans everywhere. -- Big Bands International, London , England
Is a book filled with illuminating glimpses of great musical performers told mostly in their own words. -- Sheet Music Magazine-New ork
This welcome book has all the ingredients that make a treat of a read for Big Band fans everywhere. -- Big Bands International, London , England
From the Back Cover
The Best Account of the Great Men Vocalists of the Big Band Era and Beyond Published in Over 25 Years.
As a companion to The Best Damn Trumpet Player and The Song Stars, The Music Men, the last of a trilogy, with a foreword by sometime singer Bob Hope, explores the world of the men vocalists. Richard Grudens initiates a retrospective tribute to the early singers Al Jolson & Bing Crosby (with a letter from Kathryn), Fats Waller, Rudy Vallee, Jack Teagarden, Russ Columbo, Jimmy Rushing, and Nat King Cole ( with Maria Cole). His heartwarming interviews or vignettes with living-legend artists, Frank Sinatra (just before his passing), Mel Torme', Herb Jeffries, Tony Martin, Johnny Mathis, Julius La Rosa, Guy Mitchell, Jerry Vale, Joe Williams, Al Martino, Eddie Fisher, Don Cornell, as well as Jack Jones, Vic Damone, and Steve Lawrence, are revealing, anecdotal gems to enjoy. And who could forget Dick Haymes (with Helen Forrest's help), The Ink Spots, Ray Eberle and Bob Eberly, and Billy Eckstine. Features: Donald Mills and the Mills Brothers, Sam Arlen talks of his father Harold Arlen ( the singer), and a look at Lou Lanza, Philadelphia's new singing star, who carries the torch. The chapter, Honorable Mentions, covers almost all the singers of the era. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
ANN JILLIAN'S INTRO. SAYS IT ALL!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Jukebox Saturday Night: More Memories of the Big Band Ear and Beyond (Paperback)
Richard, you did a terrfic job, your book is for all music lovers but especially those of us who love big bands and great singers. And you know I love ANN JILLIAN'S SINGING! Count me in man. Best of luck Richard. Andy
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
More great stories of the Big Band Era,
By A Customer
This review is from: Jukebox Saturday Night: More Memories of the Big Band Ear and Beyond (Paperback)
Like the Best Damn Trumpet Player, Grudens writes with feeling about all his heroes. Reading the interview with band leader Artie Shaw proves his respect for the musicians. Grudens is not a critic. He loves the music of his life and proves to all of us that the music of the era was the best music ever recorded. Where else have you ever read about people like Red Norvo, The Dorsey's the family of Duke Ellington, the great Stan Kenton, with help from Audree Kenton, Les Paul, the great Les Brown etc. You will love this book if you love that music. There is a feature about all the bands of Europe like Syd Lawrence and Ted Heath. The book is just great.There is even a section about the great songwriters, Ervin Drake ( I Believe and It Was a Very Good Year)and Jack Lawrence ( Linda, Tenderly) and others.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
an interesting interlude,
By
This review is from: Jukebox Saturday Night: More Memories of the Big Band Ear and Beyond (Paperback)
I enjoyed this book and found some of the detail fascinating although at other times I felt it was skimming the surface and not going deep enough. There are slight errors eg Fletcher Henderson did not write King Porter Stomp he only arranged it and I was surprised to see Bubber Miley's picture included in a set of fifties Ellington men - he must have smelt pretty bad!On the whole a worthwhile read for anyone interested in the big bands
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